Bangladesh unable to secure victory against Singapore

The AFC Asian Cup match against Singapore generated great excitement, but Bangladesh couldn’t deliver the expected performance. Playing in front of a full house at the National Stadium today, Bangladesh was defeated 2-1 by Singapore. As a result, Bangladesh now holds just one point in the Asian Cup qualifying group. This loss has made their chances of advancing to the final stage of the tournament much tougher. Their next game will be against Hong Kong on October 9, also at the Dhaka stadium.

Bangladesh made three changes from the team that played against Bhutan. Coach Javier Cabrera left regular captain Jamal Bhuiyan on the bench and included Canada-based player Shamit Shome in the starting eleven. This match was Shamit’s debut in the red-green jersey. Instead of Sohel Rana, who scored against Bhutan, Mohammad Hriday played, and Shakil Ahad Tapu replaced left-back Taj Uddin.

The first attack of the match came from Singapore. In the 9th minute, Bangladesh’s defenders failed to clear the ball after Harris Stewart’s long throw-in, and the ball reached the far post. Son Wi-Yang tried to touch the ball but couldn’t keep it inside the goalpost. In the 15th minute, Shakil Ahad Tapu crossed from the left side, but Rakib Hossain’s weak shot hit a defender and went straight to the goalkeeper. In the next moment, Ikhsan Fandi’s header went just past the post. If that shot had been on target, Bangladesh’s goalkeeper Mitul would have had no chance.

At the 28th minute, defender Kazi Tarik Raihan got injured and was taken off on a stretcher. After treatment, he returned to the field, which was a relief for Bangladesh. Two minutes later, Singapore got a big chance, but Mitul saved Ikhsan Fandi’s shot from the left side well. Then Bangladesh counterattacked. Shamit’s defensive pass found Rakib, but due to his lack of speed, the goalkeeper controlled the ball.

At the 35th minute, Hamza’s free kick went over the crossbar. At 40 minutes, Fahmidul got a good chance, but because of wasting time and pressure from two defenders, he could not take a shot.

At the 45th minute, Singapore shocked the crowd by taking the lead. Harris’s shot hit a defender and went high up. Mitul came out of the post and punched the ball but couldn’t clear it completely. The ball went to Harris Stewart’s foot, whose cross was volleyed into the goal by Wi-Yang. Hamza tried to clear but the ball had already crossed the line. Bangladesh finished the first half trailing.

In the second half, at the 53rd minute, Ikhsan Fandi scored again, making it 2-0 for Singapore. However, at the 67th minute, Bangladesh scored a goal back. Rakib Hossain scored from Hamza’s pass. Encouraged by the goal, Bangladesh attacked repeatedly but failed to finish well near the goalpost. Because of this missed chance, they could not equalize and had to leave the field with a disappointing loss.